Teva announced the launch of niacin extended-release tablets in the 500-mg, 750-mg and 1,000-mg strengths. As the first company to file for approval of the drug, Teva will have 180 days in which to market the generic version exclusively.

The drug is a generic version of AbbVie’s Niaspan, used to treat elevated low-density lipoprotein or "bad" cholesterol, triglycerides and other lipids in the blood. Niaspan had sales of about $1.12 billion during the 12 months ended in June, according to IMS Health.

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Hospira announces new executive appointment

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Generic drug maker Hospira has appointed Matt Stober as its SVP operations, the company said.

Stober, who began working for Hospira in 2011 as corporate VP U.S. pharmacy operations, will have expanded leadership over all the company’s drug manufacturing, as well as manufacturing science and technology, engineering, competitive strategy, health and safety, supply chain and procurement. Stober succeeds John Elliot, who has led operations since April 2012 and will provide continuity of support until he retires at the end of the year.

FLINT, Mich. — Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy has several new programs in the works to promote health and wellness among its employees, the company said.

Diplomat announced a new fitness center at its headquarters that will include stationary bikes, strength-training machines, ellipticals, medicine balls, an exercise video center and a Wii system.

In addition, the Flint, Mich.-based company is taking part in the Greater Flint Health Coalition’s Six Weeks to Wellness competition, in which businesses compete to encourage local employees to reach wellness goals. The company will also take part in an upcoming 5K race and participate in National Walk at Lunch Day.

Internally, Diplomat is sponsoring its own Challenge within a Challenge competition, in which teams of eight will compete for prizes, a smoke-free policy on the company’s campus, weight loss programs and diabetes education programs.

"The health of our patients is incredibly important, and so is the health of the people at Diplomat who take care of them," Diplomat wellness coordinator Becky Foerster said.

As part of a panel at the recent Drug Store News Industry Issues Summit, officials from Walmart and Kroger shared the ways the two organizations go about taking a collaborative approach to health care.

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